In the past few decades, prevalence rates of autism have skyrocketed, with recent reports finding that 1 in 86 American children suffer from autism. The cause of autism is poorly understood but clearly has both a genetic and environmental basis. Researchers are scrambling to further their understanding of autism and what causes it. In 2001, Dr. John McGrath suggested vitamin D plays a role in neural development. Six years later, Cannell theorized that vitamin D plays a role specifically in autism. Come learn about his theory and what all the research to date shows on the link between vitamin D and autism.

Garland is a pioneering researcher on the role of solar ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation and vitamin D in reducing risk of several types of cancers, including breast, colon and ovarian cancers, as well as adult leukemia. He will review findings by his group and others that UVB and vitamin D are very effective in reducing the risk of breast cancer and increasing survival for those diagnosed with breast cancer. A recent study by his group found that women in the military with vitamin D levels of 40 ng/ml had half the risk of breast cancer occurring during the next three months than those with vitamin D levels less than 15 ng/ml. This study revealed that the effect of vitamin D on risk of breast cancer is experienced almost immediately. Though there are many risk-modifying factors for breast cancer, raising vitamin D levels appears to be the most efficient way to reduce risk, Garland says, and it has many other health benefits.